Nobody has been sanctioned in Tusla for serious data breaches being investigated by the Data Protection Commissioner, it has emerged.

Tusla, the child and family agency, will begin the recruitment process for a new CEO after incumbent Fred McBride made the shock announcement that he is leaving the post at the end of September.

Children could have been left at risk of neglect and physical abuse because of shortcomings in how cases were screened, according to an inspection report by the health watchdog, Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).

A senior member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has questioned whether Irish laws on smacking mean parents can be good role models for their children.